Romanian climber Adrian Ahritculesei from Petrosani left for Alaska on Monday to attempt Mount McKinley (Denali), the 6,194-metre peak that is the highest in North America and the last summit he needs to complete the Seven Summits challenge.

The Seven Summits circuit includes the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, and Ahritculesei has already successfully scaled six of them, including Everest (8,848 m).

'I am prepared for this expedition. I hope we have good weather, because it is essential for success,' the climber told AGERPRES on Monday from Frankfurt Airport.

The Alaska expedition is scheduled for June 1 - 21, with Ahritculesei climbing Denali as an independent mountaineer. He will be joined by another Romanian who has lived in Germany for several years and is also pursuing the Seven Summits.

The two will arrive in Anchorage on June 1, the time difference allowing their departure from Europe and arrival in Alaska to fall on the same date. After an initial stop, they will meet park rangers on June 3. That same day, a small ski-equipped aircraft will take them onto the glacier at around 2,800 metres, from where they will begin the ascent according to plan and weather conditions.

Ahritculesei previously attempted Denali in July last year, but was forced to abandon the climb due to high avalanche risk and severe weather.

So far, he has conquered six of the Seven Summits, including Everest. He also reached the South Pole on January 9, 2026, during an Antarctic expedition in which he summited Mount Vinson (4,892 m), the continent's highest peak.

Among his achievements is also the completion of the Seven Volcanoes Circuit in January 2023, making him the first Romanian man to accomplish this feat. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Sorin Blada; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)